By Staff Reporter
TZANEEN-Greater Tzaneen Municipality joined forces with the South African Police Services to conduct a clean-up operation today, 04 October 2023.
The purpose of the operation was to demolish the iron corrugated stalls opposite Boxer Super Market in Town.
The spot according to Seargent Morris NKhwashu spokesperson of the Tzaneen SAPS was identified as a drug den and hide-out for criminal activities taking place in town. Nkhwashu said
“Police have previously discovered dangerous drugs in the containers while conducting searches but unfortunately the occupants had fled by the time the police arrived”.
The municipality conducts clean-up campaigns from time to time around town to encourage and raise awareness about environmental hygiene, as well as removing waste and illegal occupants/hawkers in a continuous effort to keep the town clean said GTM Manager for Land and Economic Development Freddy Ramallo.
The operation commenced with a briefing this morning where SAPS and GTM were joined by local Security companies and Community Safety Forums. The stalls also pose a serious health hazard to the nearby hawkers because of the untidiness, especially to the hawkers who are selling food nearby.
This happens at a time when drug abuse is a major concern in society wherein even students in local schools are reported to be making use of these illegal substances.
The same spot will be transformed into a taxi station to ensure that the occupants do not rebuild and to partly address the overwhelmed Pick n Pay taxi along Agatha Street.
